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Emergency Kit

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What is an Emergency Kit?

A common misconception is that emergency kits are the same thing as a first aid kit. However, a first aid kit is only a portion of an emergency kit. An emergency kit is a group of items that keep your family safe and healthy during an emergency. You generally plan to have enough for 3 days in an emergency.

What do you put in an emergency kit?

What do you put in an emergency kit?

On the internet, there are a lot of different ways to put together an emergency kit.  However, this is what you really need to put an emergency kit together. 

Food & Water

  • 1 gallon of water per person in family per day

  • Non-perishable food (make sure it will be easy to make or have it pre-made)

  • Pet food (if you have a pet)

    • If you do have a pet set aside anything that you may need to take care of them/find them if they get lost

Safety & Search

  • Flashlight

  • First-aid Kit (scroll down for materials)

  • N95 Respirator Masks

  • Multi-tool (swiss-army knives are fine)

  • Cord/Rope

  • Work & Nitrile Gloves

  • Duct Tape

  • Map (layout) of the house & local areas

Warmth & Comfort

  • Blanket

  • Tube Tent

  • Rain Poncho

  • Waterproof Matches/Hand Warmers

  • Spare Clothing (that you don't care for)

  • Sanitary Supplies

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)

Communications

  • Hand Crank Radio (or battery but make sure to have batteries)

  • Extra phone chargers

  • Pad of paper & pen

  • Whistle

  • Communications Card 

    • family phone numbers, addresses, & other info that you need

  • Extra money/credit cards/keys

What goes in a First-Aid Kit?

  • An up-to-date first-aid manual

  • A list of emergency phone numbers

  • Sterile gauze pads of different sizes

  • Adhesive tape

  • Adhesive bandages

  • Elastic bandage

  • A splint

  • Antiseptic wipes

  • Soap

  • Antibiotic Ointment

  • An up-to-date first-aid manual

  • A list of emergency phone numbers

  • Sterile gauze pads of different sizes

  • Adhesive tape

  • Adhesive bandages

  • Elastic bandage

  • A splint

  • Antiseptic wipes

  • Soap

  • Antibiotic Ointment

  • Anti-septic ointment (like hydrogen peroxide)

  • Hydrocortisone cream (1%)

  • Acetaminophen & ibuprofen

  • Extra prescription medicines (if going on vacation)

  • Tweezers

  • Sharp scissors

  • Safety pins

  • Disposable instant cold packs

  • Calamine lotion

  • Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol

Keep in mind that some items expire so you should check your kit every few months!

Magazine, Seabee. “September Is National Preparedness Month.” Seabee Online, seabeemagazine.navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/09/23/september-is-national-preparedness-month/.

Kit information was gained by Emergency Kit Guide by the City of Los Altos

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First Aid Kit : “First-Aid Kit (for Parents).” Edited by Kate M. Cronan, KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, Aug. 2018, kidshealth.org/en/parents/firstaid-kit.html.

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